Moistener.



' J. S. 'GUSHMAN.

MOISTENER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19, 1909.

I Ian-mum Pat ented 0ct. 25,191 O.

Wiiwwoeo J. S. UUSHMAN. MOISTENER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18, 1909.

Patented 00.13. 25, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THE "hams PETERS co., wAsHmc-rolv; mc.

JAMES S. CUSHMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MOISTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

Application filed February 18, 1909. Serial No. 478,658.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES S. CUSHMAN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Moisteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in stationery articles, and more particularly to moisteners.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a top view of a device incorporating this invention and showing the cover for the moistening roll. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the cover partly removed. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the cover wholly removed. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on the lines 44 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 a side elevation of the moistener.

The objects which this invention has in view are principally to provide a device to moisten the sealing flaps of envelops; the underside of stamps; and which is adapted to be used as a finger moistener; and further, to provide such a construction at the minimum of cost.

The construction as shown in the drawings comprises a base 1. In the present instance this is formed of transparent glass, molded in shape to provide the well 2,-; the projections 3 -3-; the recesses 4, 4l; and the recesses 5 -5.

Into the well 2 there is poured a moistening fluid. The well is covered by a top (5 which is preferably made of sheet metal stamped to the desired form.

The top 6 is provided at the ends with detents 7 so constructed as to be resilient, and thereby seat the bends 8 8 under the projections 3 3+ when the cover is pushed down to seat on top of the body portion --1. The detents 7 7 are flared as shown while the outer surfaces of the projections -3 -3 are beveled, so that the flared portion 7 -7 striking upon the inclined surface will ride over same, extending outward until passing the edge of the projections 3 3. Further, when it is desired to remove the top -6 these flap portions 7 7 are utilized as handles to remove the top. The top is provided at the longitudinal center with a cross-wise opening -9-- through which is extended a roller 10 as shown. The longitudinal sides of the top are drawn upward to cover the ends of the said roller, and to receive the cover 11 on one side of the top.

The roller 10 is provided with trunnions l2 at either end, which rest in the recesses 5. In this position the lower part of the roller is immersed in the moistening fluid. The surface of the roller is preferably provided with some absorbent material, such as felt. As the roller is con stantly revolved, the surface carries the necessary moisture for moistening envelops and stamps, when the same are presented to the surface. It is for this purpose (to hold the article being moistened upon the roller) that the cover 11 'is provided. The cover in cross section is curved to the cylinder of the roller. It may, however, be a curve of lesser radius. The cover rests over the roller as shown in Fig. 1, leaving a narrow space between the roller and cover, so that the cover is never actually in contact with the roller.

' The cover -11 is pivotally mounted on the top --6 having a pivot 13 rigidly secured to the cover and passing through a perforation in the top 6 and asimilar perforation in a spring bar -1 l which is secured to the top -6. The object of the spring 1 l' is to keep the cover lldown in its normal position, which accommodates the need for it to raise in order that it shall be thrown over the roller -10 into the open position shown in Fig. 5. The action of the spring 14 is downward. To maintain the cover in line, the top is provided with the projections -15 15 which fit within the indents of the projections l6 -l6 of the cover. The indents 16 16 ride over and onto the projections l5 15 in the position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of drawings.

The cover 11 is moved from the position shown in Fig. l to that shown in Fig. 3 when it is desired touse the device as a finger moistener, in which service it is desired to remove the cover 1l out of the way, exposing the roller 10- so the fingers of the operator may be drawn across the roller without interference. To assist in the operation of rotating the cover ll it is provided with the ears -17 17. The side edges l8 l8-- of the cover are curved upward to guide the article being moistened under the cover, and in contact with the roller. By means of the ears l7- 17-- the cover may be partly l lifted and rotated as desired.

In the operation of this device, the well 2 is first supplied with water. This is accomplished by removing the top -6 by lifting one or both of the detents 7 out of engagement with the projections 3 3. \Vhen disengaged, the top is readily removed from the body portion -1. The water having been placed in the well, the roller -10 is then placed in position with the trunnions 12 resting in the recess 5. The top is now replaced over the body portion, in which operation the de tents 7 are extended until they pass the outer edge of the projections 3 3 when the resiliency of the metal springs the shoulders 8 -8 under the projections -3 3 securing the top firmly in position. The device is now in condition to be operated. This is accomplished in the event of using an envelop by drawing the gummed flap under the cover 11, and drawing it across the roller -10- the gummed face resting upon the roller. The envelop may then be sealed as in the usual manner.

hen a strip of stamps is to be moistened, the operation is similar to that just described, inserting the first stamp of the strip and then drawing the whole strip over the roller l0.

The operation would be awkward when using a single stamp. hen this is desired, the operation consists in first rotating the cover 11 to the position shown in Fig. 3 of drawings. The upper surface of the roller 10 is now exposed, and the single stamp may be drawn across the moistened surface of the roller, and when so moistened, may be placed upon, and adhered to, the envelop, or other article for which it is designed. It is in the same position as just described that the device is used as a finger moistener. By drawing the fingers across the moistened surface of the roller 10 they are moistened.

In all the positions it will be observedl that the roller, 10- is constantly rotating, and thus presents a constantly refreshed surface to the operator.

Having thus described this invention, it is claimed 1. A moistener comprising a body portion having a fluid containing well; a roller pivotally mounted in said body portion to extend within said well; and a guide curved to extend partly around said roller and pivotally mounted on said body portion to be alternately disposed to extend over said roller and to be removed therefrom.

2. A moistener comprising a body portion having a fluid containing well; a roller pivotally mounted in said body portion to extend within said well; a top for said body portion extended over said well and having an opening therein for the extension of said roller therethrough; a guide curved to extend partly around said roller and pivoted on said top to be disposed alternately to ex tend over said roller and to be removed therefrom; and resilient means for maintaining the said guide cover in guided relation with said roller.

3. A moistener comprising a body portion having a fiuid containing well; a roller pivotally mounted in said body portion to extend within said well; a top for said body portion extended over said well and having an opening therein for the extension of said roller therethrough; a guide curved to extend partly around said roller and pivoted on said top to be disposed alternately to extend over said roller and to be removed therefrom; and spring actuated means for holding the said guide cover in fixed position over the said roller and pressed against the said top.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 12th day of November A. D. 1908.

JAMES S. CUSHMAN.

\Vitnesses VILLIAM H. SILK, E. F. MURDocK. 

